[APWSLMembers 281] Fw: APTUF Protest Against Amendments in Factory Act Reagrding Working Hours!

[rubina jamil]

Pakistani Workers Protest Against Objectionable Amendments by National Assembly in Labor Laws, June 22, 2006

The working class of Pakistan experience continuous curb on labor rights. The right of association and speech and right of protest, right of strike is the foremost right for workers as well as for common man. This right has been drastically curtailed.  The government of Pakistan is totally following the imperialist policies which badly hitting workers and their movement. 

The process of privatization involves a restructuring of the labor force and a shift from the public sector to the private sector. Even when this only involves change of ownership of the establishment, there is likely to be a change in the conditions of service of the workers, which may represent a reduction or even a loss in social protection.  

The National Assembly of Pakistan made an objectionable amendments in labor laws in the Factories Act that enhanced working hours from 8 to 10 for women workers and 10 to 12 hours male workers on daily.

All Pakistan Trade Union Federation called its emergency meeting in which decide to start "Campaign" against the removal of this amendment and hold Protest Rally in Lahore on June 22, 2006 against 12 hours working day. 

APTUF demonstrated outside Lahore Press Club to oppose increase in working hours of 12 hours a day which violate ILO Conventions. Hundreds of workers including women joined the rally, displayed banners and placards written slogans against the decision and called for its cancellation.  Workers chanted slogans against the policy makers.  Heavy contingent of police stop the workers to move on the city roads.

 

 

Gulzar Ahmed Chaudhary, General Secretary APTUF, Rubina Jamil, Chairperson, Aima Mahmood, Secretary WWO, Shabbir Ahmed, President, Capital Industries (Pvt) Ltd. Muhammad Ilyas, Nisar Art Press, Nasir Chaudhary expressed their great concern and demanded to the government to immediate abolish this anti workers amendment, this act of government shows that government is totally in the favor of employers, the amendment is clear violation of ILO Convention, speakers emphasis to repeal of Industrial Relation Ordinance 2002 and curtails the right to form trade union, collective bargaining, right to speak and right to strike.

 

Gulzar Chaudhary, General Secretary warned that the workers will not accept increase in daily working hours, keeping in view a nominal raise in wage.  They will continue to stage demonstration against the decision, he announced that APTUF have decided to launch nationwide campaign against the anti worker amendments and to make the law with the conformity of ILO Conventions and its implementation.  

 

Workers demand: 

 

v      Government immediately abolish amendment in labor laws.

 

v      Government will repeal IRO 2002.

 

v      It is urged to the government to setup tripartite team comprising workers representatives, employers and government to monitor the enforcement of labor laws in all the industrial and commercial units.

 

v      Implement all ratified ILO Conventions.

 

 

Plan of Action:

 

Ø      Protest rally on July 7th, 2006 from Lahore Press Club to Assembly Hall.

Ø      Message sends to all International trade union organizations about the amendment in labor laws.

Ø      Letters to government authorities to withdraw this amendment. 

Ø      Letter to Director General ILO -Geneva and Director ILO.

Ø      Hold gate meetings all over Pakistan against government policies.

Ø      Publish leaflets and distributed among the workers and general people.





Please find Attach the Press clipping of Aptuf Demonstration!









All Pakistan Trade Union Federation



 

 

 

 
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